By Ivan Saldajeno
LIPA--Mendiola kept its poise despite losing one guy early in the second half and blanked Global Makati, 4-0, in the first PFL match played at the Aboitiz Pitch on a rainy Saturday night.
Hamed Hajimehdi sparked and capped Mendiola's onslaught against Global Makati, which could not capitalize on the straight red card slapped to Soul Ndepe.
Hajimehdi opened the scoring for Mendiola in the 23rd minute, while Ricki Sendra made it 2-0 for the club in the 44th minute.
In the 53rd minute, however, Ndepe gave up a hard foul on a Global Makati player that merited him a red card, bringing Mendiola down to 10 men.
Global Makati tried to take advantage of the Mendiola going undermanned but to no avail, and instead, Alen Angeles scored on a 74th minute goal and Hajimehdi completed his brace in the 76th minute.
Mendiola is now on 10 points, just five points behind Green Archers United, which will call the said venue and will host Air Force on Sunday night.
Global Makati remains dead last with only three points to show.
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